Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Chicken Filling
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. The cream cheese and sour cream should make the filling nice and creamy while the spices add a ton of flavor.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little heat to your taquitos, this is the time to throw in some chopped jalapeño or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Step 3: Warm the Tortillas
To prevent the corn tortillas from cracking when you roll them, you’ll want to warm them up. Place them in a microwave between two damp paper towels and heat for about 20-30 seconds until they’re pliable. Alternatively, you can lightly toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip this step! Warming the tortillas makes them much easier to work with and helps them stay intact during rolling.

Step 4: Fill and Roll the Taquitos
Now for the fun part! Take one warm tortilla and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line down the center. Roll the tortilla up tightly, starting from one edge and rolling toward the other, creating a snug taquito. Place it seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet.

Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Pro Tip: Make sure the seam side of the taquito is down on the baking sheet so they hold together while baking.

Step 5: Brush with Olive Oil
Once all the taquitos are rolled and lined up on the baking sheet, lightly brush the tops with olive oil or spray them with cooking spray. This helps them get extra crispy in the oven.

Step 6: Bake the Taquitos
Bake the taquitos for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them toward the end of the cooking time to make sure they don’t over-brown.

If you prefer a crispier finish, you can broil them for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, but watch them carefully as they can burn quickly under the broiler.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Once they’re done, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve them with your favorite dipping sauces—guacamole, salsa, and sour cream are all excellent options!